The misty blush of dawn
fills my cup
with the saffron embrace of awakening.
The crooning and crowing of roosters
gently tugs at my eyelids,
singing the chorus of my childhood.
I put on the oversized boots,
their folding rubber squeaking
with every clunking step.
I go outside.
My hand shields my eyes
as I watch the puff of my breath
reflect the sunrise
in a plume of ivory vapor.
I can smell the moistened soil and grass
where the chickens scratch their feet.
